Tameshigiri, shinkendo, iaido, kendo, samurai, test-cutting, katana, tatami omote, bushi, budo

Itto Ryodan offers high quality tatami omote and stands for traditional tameshigiri.

Our new tatami omote can be purchased in bulk or per mat. One mat weighs just over 1 kilo (1020 gm) so the price of shipping needs to be taken into consideration when in ordering. We are happy to send you mats in small quantities, however, in consideration of the relatively high costs for shipping smaller amounts and the discounts for buying in bulk you will always get a better offer (less cost per mat) when you arrange to purchase a larger amount. For these reasons we always recommend that purchases are made by the bale or by the pallet (3-8 bales).

All prices below are inclusive VAT but do not include shipping.

Mats not sold in a bale (1-39) are sold at €4,50 each

One bale of tatami mats includes 40 full mats (180 x 90 cm).

Itto Ryodan offers high quality stands for tameshigiri handmade of solid white oak.

It is of primary importance that any stand made for tameshigiri incorporates the proper dimensions and maximum stability. Further consideration can then be given to the aesthetic appeal of the stand and the design with regards to the stand's ability to be transported.

Our stands have been painstakingly designed and tested to ensure that they are not only very stable but naturally beautiful as well. What's more they are easily set up or taken apart again for transport or storage.

The stands are made of unfinished high quality white oak. For use they may be left as they are or they can be stained or oiled as desired. Each stand comes with 4 pine wood pegs.

Intended as a resource for current students as well as an introduction for non-students, "Shinkendo - Japanese Swordsmanship" is the first volume of several books scheduled to follow that detail various aspects of this art. A must for Shinkendo students and anyone interested in Japanese swordsmanship, volume one touches on Japanese military history, Shinkendo strategy, philosophy and all five major areas of swordsmanship study. This is the first and only book on the dynamic art of Shinkendo to date, written by it's founder and headmaster. 177 pages.

Shinkendo Tameshigiri focuses exclusively on tameshigiri (test-cutting) — its history, its current practice, the different types and purposes of tameshigiri, including shito or sword-testing — and its role in shinkendo. Obata-Kaiso has been instrumental in implementing and raising the standards of the practice of tameshigiri in swordmanship training worldwide, starting from his participation in the tameshigiri championships in Japan and perhaps culminating in the publication of this definitive volume. Included are detailed diagrams of cutting techniques and sword anatomy, step-by-step photos of maintaining swords, preparing tatami-omote, tameshigiri waza, and more. This book also extends beyond the scope of shinkendo to incorporate Obata-soke's extensive experience as a shitoka, or professional sword-tester. Intended as a resource for students and anyone interested in finding out more about shinkendo and the practice of tameshigiri. 180 pages.
Download official Press Release (PDF)